INTRODUCTION. 



7 



very time when there is little or no interest in the gar- 

 den, and on this account those plants which will flower 

 with good cultivation, at that dormant period of the year, 

 should be more particularly chosen, as in the summer, when 

 the garden itself is gay, the house becomes less attractive. 

 If a warm division, or forcing department, be added, Rho- 

 dodendrons, Azaleas, Camellias, Heaths, etc., and many of 

 the bulbs will show bud early, and can be removed to the 

 cooler part to flower, while others may take their place, and 

 a, constant succession be kept up which will render not only 

 the greenhouse but the drawing-room gay all the winter 

 months. The fortunate possessors of a conservatory as well 

 as a greenhouse may keep the latter for forcing merely, so 

 that the conservatory (generally attached to the dwelling), 

 can be stocked with flowering plants when they are in their 

 greatest beauty; but, previous to removal, care must be 

 taken to harden them gradually, by placing them first for a 

 day or two in the cooler part of the greenhouse. 



The objection made by many to the so-called "hard" 

 names given to plants will be overcome, and the difficulty 

 found in remembering them, be obviated by all those who 

 are in earnest in the pursuit, for a little attention (equally 

 required to learn an English name) will soon impress them 



